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Senator Farley (R, C – Schenectady) and fellow Senate Republicans today launched a plan to invest over $3 billion from the BNP Paribas bank settlement. This comprehensive and fiscally responsible budgeting approach will accelerate planned tax cuts to give New Yorkers the relief they need and deserve as soon as possible, make key infrastructure investments to create new jobs across the state and provide historic assistance to local schools and property taxpayers.

This weekend (June 28th-29th) New Yorkers may fish for free without a license in any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 50,000 miles of rivers and streams. In addition, there are a number of free events and fishing clinics taking place across the state to encourage New Yorkers to enjoy the great outdoors. For more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/89821.html

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) announced the New York State Senate gave final legislative passage today to legislation (S7883) that would help alleviate a backlog of cases in the state’s family courts by creating 25 new family court judgeships. One new judgeship would be established in each of 16 counties, and nine in New York City.

New family court judges would be elected in 2014 in Albany, Broome, Chautauqua, Franklin, Nassau, Oneida, Oswego, Schenectady, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester counties, and take office January 1, 2015.

New family court judges would be elected in 2015 and seated in 2016 in Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, and Warren counties.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reports the New York State Senate passed a comprehensive package of bills to address the growing heroin and opioid crisis. The measures target prevention, treatment, and enforcement issues raised during extensive testimony provided by dozens of experts, parents, and concerned New Yorkers at the 18 forums held by the Senate Majority Coalition’s Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction.

State Senate Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of meeting members of the New York Rangers hockey team when they came to the Capitol on June 18th. Representing the team were General Manager Glen Sather, Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld, Derek Stepan, Matin St. Louis and Dominic Moore.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) announced thhe New York State Senate passed legislation (S7734A) that would clarify a state law related to the crime of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, that was declared unconstitutional by the state Court of Appeals last year.

The bill addresses concerns cited by the Court and restores Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, which was a charge used thousands of times in cases of domestic violence. The Court ruled the law was vague and too broad.

This bill approved by the Senate will criminalize harassing communications that threaten to cause physical harm to a victim or the victim’s property where a defendant knows or should know that the communication will cause the victim to fear such harm.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recently passed legislation (S7262A) that authorizes schools to have and administer the life saving medicine, epinephrine, when a student has a severe allergic reaction.

According to Food Allergy Education and Research, food allergies affect one in every 13 children in the United States -- estimated to be two children per classroom. Allergic reactions can range from mild skin rashes to severe anaphylaxis -- a full-body and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can stop respiration and heartbeat within seconds. Among these children who have food allergies, 40 percent have already experienced severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reports that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate gave final legislative passage to a bill (S7643A) that directs the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to design and post at public boat launches a universal sign warning of the threat of aquatic invasive species.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS), such as zebra mussels, asian clams and hydrilla, pose a serious threat to the ecosystems and economies of the communities around lakes, rivers and other bodies of waters.

The legislation requires the DEC, within one year of the effective date of the law, to conspicuously post or provide for the posting of a universal sign at each public boat launch site in the state.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reports the New York State Senate Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases recently released a report and legislation that provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for a state action plan to enhance research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment for harmful tick-borne illnesses. To date in 2014, more than 450 new cases of Lyme disease have been reported in New York alone, and the number is expected to continue rising each year as disease-laden ticks spread to more communities.

As Chairman of the Senate’s Select Committee on Libraries, State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady), helped kick off the New York State Library’s Summer Reading Program today at the Schenectady County Public Library. Called “Fizz! Boom! Read!,” the program is being launched by over a thousand public libraries across the State, giving children the opportunity to access the vast resources of New York’s public libraries to support their summer reading.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recently gave final legislative passage to a bill that protects children from identity thieves who steal information to establish fraudulent financial accounts. The bill (S6682B) helps stop identity thieves from victimizing children by requiring credit agencies to place a credit record freeze on the account of a minor when requested by a parent or guardian.

Millions of Americans are victims of identity theft each year. These criminals can even target children – using a minor’s Social Security number to apply for government benefits, open bank and credit card accounts, apply for a loan or utility service, or rent a place to live.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that the New York State Senate recently passed three bills – all part of the Senate’s Women’s Equality Agenda – that would prevent employment discrimination against people with families, stop housing discrimination against victims of domestic violence, and ensure women receive equal pay for equal work.

STOPPING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON FAMILY STATUS

The Senate unanimously passed legislation (S5875) to help working mothers by preventing discrimination in the hiring and promotion of people with families. The bill prohibits employers from denying work or promotions based on family status, such as parents and women who are pregnant.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recently gave final passage to a measure that will create a Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund to support military servicemen and women who need help with housing. The bill (S4760A) allows New Yorkers to contribute to the fund when filing their personal income taxes.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of meeting fourth grade students from Skano Elementary School, Shenendehowa Central School District, on June 12th when they came to Albany to tour the Capitol. Also pictured is Assemblyman James Tedisco.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of meeting fourth grade students from Skano Elementary School, Shenendehowa Central School District, on June 12th when they came to Albany to tour the Capitol. Also pictured is Assemblyman James Tedisco.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of meeting fourth grade students from Skano Elementary School, Shenendehowa Central School District, on June 12th when they came to Albany to tour the Capitol. Also pictured is Assemblyman James Tedisco.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of meeting fourth grade students from Skano Elementary School, Shenendehowa Central School District, on June 12th when they came to Albany to tour the Capitol. Also pictured is Assemblyman James Tedisco.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reports that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed legislation recently that would enable high school students to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated defibrillators (AEDs).

According to the American Heart Association, about 400,000 people have sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year, and only about 10 percent of them survive, most likely because they don’t receive timely CPR. Given right away, CPR doubles or triples survival rates.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reports that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recently passed five bills to make college more affordable for students and their families, while setting students up for success. These bills provide opportunities to help New York students thrive by increasing awards in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to equal the cost per semester of SUNY and CUNY tuition, alleviating student loan debt, giving access to free community college to eligible students, and providing targeted work-training programs.

The college affordability bills approved by the Senate today include the following legislation: